Retail sales for the eurozone region rose slightly in July, gaining 0.1 percent after a 0.2 percent gain in June. Several of the smaller member nations recorded more significant gains including a 3.0 percent increase in Portugal and a 2.9 percent increase in Malta. Germany, the economic powerhouse of the region, managed a slight gain of 0.3 percent.
Source: AFP News
Oil prices were off slightly as investors digested the latest US Employment Report, falling by 35 cents at $74.67 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. On Thursday, oil gained $1.11 to $75.02 a barrel.
Oil prices have traded between $70 and $80 for most of the past year as the global economy recovered from last year’s recession, but developed countries struggled to regain strong growth. U.S. crude and fuel inventories have remained high, suggesting the demand for fuel remains sluggish.
Source: Associated Press
The US Labor Report brought more discouraging employment news today as for the third month in a row, jobs continued to evaporate. In August, 54,000 jobs were lost, lifting overall unemployment to 9.6 percent from 9.5 percent.
The one bright note was the private sector created more jobs than expected during the month with 67,000 new positions filled. The net result however, was still negative adding further to worries that increasing unemployment could derail any recovery.
Source: Reuters
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